Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-04-30
Be profitably fed to cattle. when

leeulLS rs lnulan corn. IL can De
dried the same as any other moist
seed of a bulky nature by spreading
on barn or garrett floors. Frequent
stirring while drying is necessary.
Most of our farmers thresh their
seed and allow it to remain on the
ground without giving it any atten-
ton whatever until it rottens, or is
rendered unfit for use by stock tramp
ling over it. In this they make q
mistake. AS much could be saved
by q little care and attention and fed
profitably afterwards.
HOW TO CULTIVATE THE CROP.
Many inquiries having been made
as to the cultivation of broom corn,
manner of handling, preparing for
market, etc. the following is given
as the methods of some of our most
successful growers.
Toprepare the land, plow and break
it thoroughly, harrow and roll we'll
the ground should be smooth and
level same as for grass seeds. Lay
off the rows, say three feet six inches
apart in rich lands, and four feet
when soil is not 80 strong, using what
is called marker made for the bust
ness; 3 rows can be made at time,
and they should not be more than one
and half inches deep for planting
follow with H0osier drill with seed
attachment using the small hole for
dropping. The seed should be drop
ped, say about 16 inches apart, and if
this is done with something like uni
formity, there will be no necessity
for thinning out, and much time and
labor saved. The seed must be thor
oughly cleaned and this should not
be overlooked.
Our best planters use about one
bushel to fifteen acres. Western farm
ers plant one bushel to ten ndtwelve
acres and grow it successfully. 1t
can be planted earlier, but the best
season for planting is from the first
of May to the 10th of June. 1t is a
plant that thrives best in hot wealth
er, and will not grow freely until the
ground is thoroughly warmed. If
the season is favorable it should be
up in four to ten days, and when
above the ground about 4 inches use
the walking cultivator with small
hoes attached, blowing as closely as
possible.
After the first or second blowing
use any kind of a pillow, and cultivate
same as Indian corn. Two plowings
after this will make the crop, but three
or four will develop better results.
Keep close watch when the brush
. is heading out and not let it get too
ripe.
WHEN TO CUT AND HOW TO CURE.
Cut when in full bloom, or while
the seed are still in the dough state;
be cautious and harvest before the
: brush turns red at the tip, as straw
bright green in color is much easier
sold and for higher price. When
cutting has commenced, the brush
should be hauled at once to the
thresher and threshed Immediately,
and then spread in the SUN until late
8 in the afternoon of the same day. II
} should then be carried under shelter
l and spread not thicker than one and
a half inches, on scaffolds about
twelve inches apart. Care must be
, taken not to get 1t wet, nor should il
l be allowed to remain out over night,
l as rain and dew damage it materi.
: ally.
, Should the weather remain dry and
s clear, two weeks uuder the shelter,
with occasional turning, will cure il
sufficiently for marketing. When
4 well cured it can be tied firmly into
] bundles weighing from ten to fifteen
: pounds each and delivered to dealers
t in this way; a wagon can be loaded
t with from 1900 100000 pounds, accord
S ing to size of frame. Growers living
D some distance from market can put il
t up in bales weighing from 800 to $50
q pounds. Broom corn has another
: great advantage over other products
S of the farm if, when ready for the
o market the price is not satisfactory tt
the.grower, it will keep as long as
i he chooses to hold it. Five or si1
r hundred pounds to the acre is goot
: average yield, although over 7OC
y pounds is obtained sometimes Will
y careful cultivation and good land.
k Smooth, bright green brush rarel.
Q sells for less than 8 cents, and gener
It ally ranges from 8 to cents pc
n pound. Crooked is usually sold q